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ZAPH-NATH PA-A-NE-AH. 



BACCALAUREATE 



TO THE 



GRADUATING CLASS 



OF THE 



INDIANA UNIVERSITY, 



AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF 



MDCCCLVII. 



/BY 

REV. WM. M. DAILY, D. D., LL. D., 

PRESIDENT . 



£ BLOOMINGTON: 

PUBLISHED BY THE CLASS. 

1857. 



\U"1 



SENIOR CUSS FOR 1857, 

TO WHOM THE FOLLOWING BACCALAUREATE WAS ADDRESSED, 
AUGUST SECOND, 1857. 

HIRAM ALLEN, Jr., Delphi, Indiana. 
STEPHEN G. BURTON, Perryville, Kentucky. 
JAMES M. CLARK, Demorestville, Canada West. 
HIRAM W. CLOUD, Louisville, Kentucky. 
GEORGE W. LEE, Greencastle, Indiana. 
AUGUSTUS D. LYNCH, Madison, Indiana. 
HAMILTON S. McRAE, Spring Dale, Indiana. 
URIAH MULLIKIN, Bloomington, Indiana. 
JOHN D. PERING, Bloomington, Indiana. 
WILBUR FISK STONE, Oskaloosa, Iowa. 
STEPHEN THRASHER, Shelbyville, Indiana. 
SAMUEL M. THOMAS, Logansport, Indiana. 
J. HOWE WATTS, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 
GEORGE C. WILSON, Onargo, Illinois. 
JACOB V. WOLFE, Carlisle, Indiana. 

SCIENTIFIC. 

JAMES M. BROWN, Clinton, Indiana. 
ALFRED E. GRAHAM, Bloomington, Indiana. 
DAVID A. ROBERTSON, Paris, Indiana. 



ZAPH-NATH PA-A-NE-AH: 



BACCALAUREATE. 



"And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaph-nath Pa-a-ne-ah." — Gen. xli: 45. 

The road to position and power is open alike to all. This 
is evident, from the testimony of history, and the biographies 
of distinguished characters, who have exerted an influence 
on the world upon a large scale. But especially is it true in 
our own country. Even adverse circumstances cannot throw 
impassable barriers in the way. We often hear it said that, 
"Circumstances make the man" — and this is offered by the fal- 
tering and the feeble, as an excuse for their shameful failures. 
But, the truth is, Man, to a very great extent, makes the cir- 
cumstances. And if unbidden, adverse circumstances gather, 
and frowningly throw their dark shadows athwart his path, by 
unbending integrity, unwavering decision, and unflagging en- 
ergy, he triumphs over all; and becomes a Leader, or Prime 
Minister, in spite of circumstances. The most formidable ob- 
stacles become as cobweb barriers, before the irresistible en- 
ergy of firmness. Difficulties which would cause the feeble, 
pampered sons of luxury to shrink back in dismay, only pro- 
voke a smile from the strong character of lofty determination 
— while he steadily moves onward, intent upon convincing the 



6 

world what wonders may be accomplished by resolute perse- 
verance and patient toil. 

These principles are finely illustrated in the history before us. 

Joseph, the son of the Patriarch, in his early life, was sur- 
rounded by circumstances the most adverse; and his "foes 
were they of his own household." Yet by strict integrity, de- 
cision, and force of character, under God, he won his way to 
position and power, in spite of all opposing influences. Pha- 
raoh awards to him the palm, and in the text, heralds the fact 
to all the world, by calling his name Zaph-stath Pa-a-ne-ah. 

Passing by many of the criticisms on the etymology of this 
word, as being to a great extent doubtful, if not entirely use- 
less, — we understand it to be an Egyptian epithet, which des- 
ignated the office, or position of influence, to which Joseph was 
raised on account of his character for discretion and wisdom. 
Pharaoh says, "There is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 
thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall 
all my people be ruled" — Joseph thus becomes a Leader in 
the land — a Prime Minister among the people; and this is 
what is meant by Zaph-nath Pa-a-ne-ah. 

You are about to go forth from the halls of your Alma Ma- 
ter, to act your parts among men — not as Joseph from the 
home of the Patriarch, under circumstances of dark adversity 
— but cheered on by the smiles of kindred and friends, with 
all that mental vigor and manliness of character which a libe- 
ral education confers, and with Baccalaureate honors cluster- 
ing around your brows. Under such circumstances we have a 
right to expect that each one of you will win for himself un- 
dying honors. 

There never has been a country, or an age, in which richer 
fields were opened up for educated young men, than our own. 
All the elements of advancing civilization are at work, and a 
fair and equal field is offered for the competition of all. You 
have every inducement to enter upon your work with vigorous 
determination to make the most of yourselves, and to manful- 
ly play your parts. If you remain obscure and useless, it 
will be your own fault. Rest well assured, if you fail to be- 
come influential men. it will not be — nav, it cannot be — for the 



want of opportunity, but rather for the want of industry and 

enterprise: 

"Men, at sometimes, are masters of their fates, 
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." 

Society greatly needs young men of an honorable ambition 
in life; who are determined to be useful according to their abil- 
ity, and to increase their ability by diligent study and the 
practice of virtue. Not such as spend their time in saloons 
and at the billiard table, and whose greatest ambition is to 
make a fine figure in the ball room and at the dance. But 
rather, those, who, like Joseph, keep themselves free from idle 
dissipation, and enter upon their career with frugality and in- 
dustry, fully determined to develop their minds, mature their 
characters, and strengthen their judgments, so as to be able to 
discharge all their high and responsible duties, with faithful- 
ness and efficiency. If you will only go forth with such no- 
ble purposes as these, and place yourselves in battle array 
against all the evil influences so busily at work in society, we 
will hope for a glorious future, and you shall each win the 
name of Zaph-nath Pa-a-ne-ah. 

On this interesting occasion, when you are not likely to for- 
get what may be said, your attention is called to The essential 
importance of decision of character, in order to the accomplish- 
ment of anything eminently good or great, and to constitute you 
Leaders in Society. 

I. The Importance of Such a Character. 

The chief influence which every man exerts is the influence 
of character. It is an individual work, and the most impor- 
tant which any one of us can perform. But on a close inspect 
tion of the world of men, we find, comparatively, very few 
characters determinately marked with strong individuality; 
and yet these few, lead and control the common mass of mind 
around them. It is a remarkable fact, that nearly all the great 
effects produced upon the world, have resulted from the influ- 
ence of a very small number of persons. Very often the mas- 



ter spirit of a strongly individual character, sustained and dig- 
nified by uncommon mental resources, has more power than 
the collective influence of a vast multitude of persons, whose 
characters were moulded in the common manufactory of cus- 
tom, and sent forth like images of clay from the pottery, of 
kindred shape and varnish — Men who have no individuality 
of character, but are mere particles of a class, and their histo- 
ry may all be found in the newspaper chronicle, or in the nar- 
rative of the gossip or the sexton. Swarms of such neutrali- 
ties are to be found everywhere, who have no character, unless 
their sharing of the general properties of human nature can 
be called such. 

We have seen persons anxiously hesitating between opposite 
determinations, while at the same time they Were impatient of 
the extreme pain of such a state of mind, and almost envied 
the decisive instinct of brutes. They wished for some circum- 
stance to happen which would deliver them from their wretched 
suspense. They thought that the accomplishment of a certain 
end would be a good thing, and that they would attempt it al- 
most immediately. But the next day they doubted whether it 
would be prudent — or thought that probably this might not 
be the right time — or inquired, "What will tne people say?" 
And thus they vacillated from day to day, precious time was 
squandered, and they accomplished nothing. But the man of 
decision in their very midst, and surrounded by the same cir- 
cumstances, promptly carries out his every design: — he says, 
"Other men have done much greater things, and I can do this" 
— or, "What man can do, I can do." To him, difficulty is on- 
ly a stimulus, urging him on to triumph, and he feels that "The 
oys of conquest are the joys of man." 

There are some men who wonder how all the embarrassments 
in the world happened to meet exactly in their way. They 
imagine that they would have pursued a very decided and de- 
termined course, if their talents, health, or age, had been diff- 
erent. Vain imagining! Such men cannot be said to belong 
to themselves. If they dared assert they did, some puny 
force would seize the hapless boasters, and to their sorrow, 
convince them of the utter futility of their claim. They be- 



9 

long to whatever can make capture of them. Persons with 
stronger faculties, can take, and dispose of them as they 
please, in spite of their irresolute action. They are neutral 
elements, seized upon, and carried along by a succession of 
events, and handed forward in helpless passiveness from one to 
another, without any determined principle in their own char- 
acters, by which they might have made the events serve them. 
But there are others who seize upon the circumstances, and 
make them subserve their chief designs. Even the casualties 
of life are made to subserve the very design which they seem- 
ed at first to threaten to frustrate — and they seem to bow to 
the spirit which will not bow to them. It may have cost Caesar 
many anxious hours before he fully decided to cross the Rubi- 
con, yet but few hours elapsed between the decision and the 
execution. Any one who fully understood the character of 
Caesar, would have contemptuously smiled at a bare intima- 
tion, that, though he had resolved, he would not dare to act — > 
or, that though he might cross the Rubicon, there were other 
rivers which he would not cross- — or, in short, that any obstacle 
would deter him from prosecuting his determination to its ut- 
most consequences. 

With a mind thus characterized, the passions are never 
wasted; but all their value is secured, and their animating 
force is thrown into effective operation. And when such a firm, 
decisive spirit is recognized, it is singular how the space clears 
away around the man, leaving him ample room and freedom. 
All allow that with a man of so much energy it is wise to keep 
the peace. There is a general feeling that the decrees of such 
an inflexible spirit must he right, or at least, that they will be 
accomplished /-—and hence his almost unbounded influence as a 
Leader. Such a spirit convinces us, that, there are stronger 
agencies in the world than electricity and steam, and far more 
enduring monuments than the Colossus of Rhodes, or the 
Temple of Diana — -the agencies and monuments of matchless 
mind; and it is thus the aristocracy of talent is more than a 
match for the vaunting aristocracy of wealth. 

We have, in this country, a great nationality. Egypt was 
narrow, and Greece but a speck, when compared with this 
2 



10 

broad land of ours. Burke's "two millions in America/' have 
already reached twenty -five millions, and will soon be a hun- 
dred millions. This great nationality demands great men—* 
men of refined tastes, strong intellects, and thorough culture 
■ — with warm, earnest hearts and solid characters, who can, 
with ready perception, clearly distinguish between what is 
right, and what is tvrong, and who dare to do the right: — these 
are the great necessities of the age. 

Gentlemen, think us not presumptuous when we tell you, 
that in our estimation it is ignoble, if not disgraceful, not to be 
able to answer, with some degree of certainty, these simple 
questions, " What ivill you be?' " What will you do?" Even 
at this early period in your history, while pausing at the 
threshold of the University to receive the honors you have so 
nobly won, you should be able to answer these questions, with- 
out any special revelation, as in the case of Joseph, by dreams 
of "binding sheaves in the field," and "the sun and the moon 
and the eleven stars making obeisance." Only determine that 
you will have individuality of character, with mental and mor- 
al features strongly marked, and consistently combined, and 
your name shall be called Zaphnath Paaneah. 

The World, of late, has been fully waked up, by the power 
of the press, steam, and electricity. The elements are all in 
commotion, and the tide of humanity is rolling onward to 
something — we know not what. The calmest waters and 
steadiest currents are ruffled and agitated by winds and tem- 
pests — 'and often the angry waves seem to be dashing over our 
bark. In such times as these, we need men — true men — men 
of mark, who will be able with calm, but heroic decision, to say 
to the raging elements, "Peace, be still," and to the angry 
waves of human passion, "Thus far shalt thou come, but no 
farther." Pericles said of the Athenians who perished in the 
Samian war, "The whole earth is the sepulchre of such illus- 
trious men, and their memorial, better than all inscriptions, is 
rerjosited in the eternal and universal remembrance of all 
mankind." Let the record of such worthies have an inspiring 
power upon you, to urge you on in the road to excellence, 
and make you ambitious of becoming high-minded men, that 



11 

like Daniel you may "stand in your lot at the end of your 
days." 

It is not necessary that we should dwell longer on this 
branch of our subject, and we pass to notice, 

II. The essential elements of this Character. 

We are willing to admit that much of this Character may 
depend upon the physical constitution. How the corporal or- 
ganization affects the mind, Physiologists must explain. We 
only assume it as a fact. In the material construction of 
some persons, there is something which augments, if it does 
not create, stability of resolution and energy. Something like 
the ligatures which a certain class of the Olympic combatants 
bound around their hands and wrists, it braces round, and com- 
presses the powers of the mind, and gives them a steady and 
forcible spring and reaction. It is generally found that per- 
sons who are remarkable for a decisive character, have pos- 
sessed great constitutional firmness. We do not mean by this 
that they have been free from disease, or that they had a cer- 
tain measure of mechanical strength — but rather a tone of 
vigor which is the opposite of lassitude, and adapted to great 
exertion and endurance. In such cases, the physical becomes 
a proud ally of the moral nature, and sustains it in unremit- 
ting energy. 

When we compare the lion with other beasts of the field, 
which are much larger in bulk of animated nature, we find an 
illustration of our position. In courage and determined ac- 
tion, the lion is vastly superior to animals of larger bulk. Now 
this must result from some modification in the composition of 
the animated material. And an analogous difference is found 
to exist, to some extent, in the physical constitution of human 
beings. Some possess more than others, of the physical qual- 
ities which belong to the lion. 

But all this constitutional hardness, cannot form the true 
character in the absence of the superior qualities. It may 
produce that contemptible kind of decision better known by 
the name of obstinacy — which resembles the gravitation of a 



12 

stone, rather than the reaction of a spring — and is a dead 
weight, rather than a manly strength. Hence we call your at- 
tention to the mental characteristics essentially necessary to 
constitute the true Zaphnath Paaneah. 

1. It is necessary that you should have confidence in your 
own judgment. 

This you may think is not an uncommon qualification. True, 
men generally have a flattering estimate of their own under- 
standing, and a self complacent assurance of being right. 
Still we hold that the quality we commend is rather uncom- 
mon. How many persons do we find all around us, who are 
willing to forego all the honor and pride of setting an example, 
just for the privilege and safety of folloiving one. They 
anxiously inquire what each person may think on the subject, 
and their own perception of the track of thought, by which 
they hoped to reach their conclusion, is confounded in the va- 
rious opposite opinions to which they listen. 

But we do not maintain that a complete reliance on your 
own judgment, is, of itself, a proof of strength and rectitude. 
On the other hand it may be a case of intense stupidity. Con- 
fidence of opinion may be possessed by a person in whom it 
will be contemptible, if not mischievous. Still it is an essen- 
tial element in all dignified actors in human affairs. It is fool- 
ish in a weak character — but the man who is rightfully decis- 
ive, is always ready to justify his complete confidence. He is 
conscious that objects are presented to his mind perspicuously 
and distinctly — and not like the shapes of moonlight, or like 
Ossian's ghosts, "dim forms of uncircumscribed shade." But 
several trains of thought, drawn from different points, lead 
him to the same conclusion; and thus he finds that his judgment 
does not vary, in utter servility, with the various moods of his 
feelings. From this we must conclude that experience and ob- 
servation are necessary in order to a high degree of this char- 
acter. Still a very protracted course of time is by no means 
necessary for this kind of discipline. By great vigilance in 
the exercise of observation, and a strongly exerted power of 
generalizing on experience, a man may, in a very short time, be 
well supplied with a large share of that wisdom which is deri- 



13 

vable from these sources. Long before a man is old, he may 
be so rich in experience, as to rely with perfect confidence on 
the decisions of his judgment: — and hence the great achieve- 
ments of strongly marked characters at so early a period in 
their lives — such as Hannibal, Bonaparte, Newton, Burke, the 
younger Pitt, Wesley, Washington, John Quincy Adams, and 
Calhoun. 

It is, however, a part of this independence, that such a man 
will hold himself perfectly free to change his opinions, if infor- 
mation communicated should furnish a sufficient reason. And 
he will listen too, to information, even though it comes from 
one for whose judgment he has no respect. If his informant 
will only give him an accurate statement of facts, he does not 
care how indifferently he may reason upon them. He feels 
that it is entirely a work of his oiv n, after receiving the infor- 
mation, to deliberate and resolve. 

In all the great work of life upon which you are about to 
enter, we would have you cultivate, under God, a noble inde- 
pendence and confident self-reliance. Never, no, never consent 
to be the mere satellites of any earthly luminary, however gor- 
geously it may shine. Never become basely dependent upon 
others for your position and influence, but rely upon your own 
force of character and intellectual power; and with manly, 
Christian self-respect, think, and act for yourselves. We do 
not mean that you should be offensively abrupt, rude, and re- 
pulsive, in your intercourse with society. It is not necessary 
to your independence, that you should wrap yourselves up in 
a robe of ill natured self sufficiency, and present porcupine 
points in every direction, to the detriment and annoyance of 
all who approach you. Far from it. Such a course would 
render you a loathing to society, rather than a Leader. , The 
most independent and self-poised men we have ever known, 
were the most respectful and courteous in their manners. You 
should always have a due regard to the rights, opinions, and 
feelings of others, while in all that respects your own rights, 
responsibilities, and duties, you should be self relying and in- 
dependent. When William the Conqueror was called upon by 
an audacious and successful Pontiff, to take the oath of fealtv 



14 

in behalf of England, to the Roman See, he nobly replied, "JT 
hold my Kingdom of God, and my Sword." Let it ever be 
your truthful boast, "I hold my position and influence of God, 
and of my own intellectual and moral force of character." 
Remember that the Great Teacher himself enjoins upon us, to 
"call no man master." 

2. A strong will must accompany your conclusions of thought. 
Without a cogent feeling, impelling you to carry every inter- 
nal decision into action, you will accomplish little or nothing. 
You may have a very dignified judgment, and yet be in the 
hapless plight of having no effective forces to execute your de- 
crees. It is important, then, that you have a strenuous will — 
a total incapability of surrendering to indifference, or delay, 
the serious determinations of the mind. Your intellect must 
be invested with a glowing atmosphere of passion, under the 
influence of which, the cool dictates of reason will take fire, 
and spring forth into active, living, breathing powers. 

Carefully observe any remarkable man of decisive character, 
and you will find that he never sits down delighted at the labor 
of successful thinking, as if he had completed some great thing; 
but he rather regards this labor only as a circumstance of pre- 
paration for action. Hence you will always find him in the de- 
termined pursuit of some object, upon which he has fixed his 
eagle gaze, and he never loses sight of it on account of any con- 
fusion around him. He disdains to adopt a purpose which he 
would not devote his utmost efforts to effect — and he never 
withdraws his exertions through indolence, debility, or caprice. 
Such a man is linked to his determinations as with iron bands, 
and never surrenders his object to any interference, except it 
be to the uncontrollable dispensations of Divine Providence. 

A systematic energy indicates a mind in which the passions 
are commensurate with the intellect, and hold a correspon- 
dence with it, something like the faithful sympathy of the tides 
with the phases of the moon. We have had occasion in the 
recitation room, to call your attention to the effect of what is 
called the "Ruling Passion." If its objects are noble, and its 
movements regulated by an enlightened understanding, it is 
certainly a great happiness; as it never fails, in such cases, to 



15 

give consistency and stability to character. It sweeps away 
all trivial objections, and brings all the powers of the man in- 
to the service of the favorite Cause, and almost opens a way 
through impossibilities. And if to this is added the force of 
habit, the determination becomes invincible, and it is almost 
certain that such a man will persist, and have triumphant suc- 
cess in his favorite Cause. 

In the narrations of history, we sometimes view even an 
agent of dreadful designs, who extorts from us something like 
a sentiment of respect for the unconquerable mind displayed. 
And even our regret is mingled with admiration, and we are 
ready to exclaim, "What a noble being this would have been, 
if the "Ruling Passion" had been Goodness. We bend in 
homage before that ambitious spirit, which reached the true 
sublime, in the reply of Pompey to his friends, who so zealous- 
ly urged him not to hazard his life on a tempestuous sea, in 
order to be at Rome on an important occasion: "It is necessa- 
ry for me to go, it is not necessary for me to live." 

We admit that many decisive characters have, unfortunately, 
taken an ignoble direction; still there are men of the noblest vir- 
tue, who furnish us with a display of that decisive energy which 
is so ennobling to human nature — constitutes nature's noblemen, 
and makes the Zaphnath Paaneah's of the world. Such, for 
example, was the illustrious Howard. The energy of his de- 
termination seemed almost a vehement impetuosity; and still it 
was the calmness of intensity, and the very reverse of agitation 
and turbulence. He was not like the small stream which has 
no force only when swollen to a torrent; but rather like the 
great river, uniformly rolling on with resistless force, and 
bearing away every obstacle. His attention was fixed on his 
object, and though it might be at the greatest distance, it al- 
ways appeared to his great mind, with luminous distinctness* 
Such a man can accomplish anything which is within the 
sphere of mortal activity. 

If you ask for examples of this character where the eternal 
happiness of mankind was the "Ruling Passion," we will point 
you to George Whitefield and John Wesley. They were cer- 
tainly noble instances of this intense necessity of action. The 



16 

great Cause which was so often found to be languid in the 
hands of many of its advocates, under their administration, as- 
sumed a restless urgency, and an all-commanding power. But 
as far above all, we refer you, with reverence, to the Great 
Exemplar, who said, "I must be about my Father's business. 
My meat and drink is to do the will of him that sent me, and 
to finish his work. I have a baptism to be baptised with, and 
how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" 

The resolution of a strong ivill is next to omnipotent. It is 
said of Sheridan, that at first he was exceedingly timid, and 
often obliged to sit down in the midst of a speech. He was 
sensible of the cause of his failures, and being greatly mortified, 
he said one day to a friend, with great emphasis, "It is in me, 
and it shall come out/' And from that very moment he arose 
in brilliancy, and triumphed in a finished eloquence. Here 
was a conquest of the will, and it made a hero of the man. 
Be, then, bold in spirit, and never allow yourselves to indulge 
in doubts — remember they are traitors, and only dwell with the 
feeble and the faltering — and God himself has said, "He that 
doubteth is damned." 

It is related of Tamerlane, the celebrated warrior, that he 
once learned a lesson in determined perseverance, from an in- 
sect, which had a lasting effect upon his whole future character 
and success. On one occasion, when closely pursued by his 
enemies, he took refuge in some old ruins— and while there, in 
his solitary musings, he saw an ant tugging away, and trying 
to carry a single grain of corn: — he repeated his unavailing 
efforts sixty-nine times; and each time, as soon as he reached 
a certain point of projection, unable to surmount it, he fell 
back with his burden. But lo! the seventieth time, he bore 
away his spoil in triumph, and left the wondering Tamerlane, 
even amidst the old ruins, exulting in high hopes of future vic- 
tory. 

Now, like this ant, in the hiding place of Tamerlane, you have 
some one thing to do — and if you would accomplish anything 
great, in this short life, you must apply yourself to the work, 
Avith a concentration of all your forces — waste no time — and 
as soon as your plans are finished in deliberation, commence 



17 

them in action — And all this will require the strong will, of 
which we speak, as an essential element of the Leader. 

3. Courage is an essential element of this Character. It is 
not enough that a man should be adventurous in thought, alone. 
He may sketch and admire an excellent scheme; but if his 
heart tells him he has not the courage, or noble daring, to real- 
ize, or carry it out, he will be mortified to think there are 
courageous men who would venture what he dares not. And 
if, perchance, he brings himself up to a resolution of braving 
difficulty, he is soon chagrined at the timid, cowardly linger- 
ings which keep him back from the trial — and he finds himself 
accomplishing nothing. But the man endowed with true Cour- 
age, in connection with the other elements, says with sober 
consciousness, which is as far removed from bravado as it is 
from timidity, "My convictions and determinations are linked 
together, and I dare to act." The phantoms of fear he cour- 
ageously looks in the face — and on him they lose all their 
menacing glare and ominous tones; while he exclaims, "Z dare 
to do all that may become a man." We all feel to despise a 
being whose agency is continually enslaved by the gloomy 
shapes of the imagination, or by the threats or frowns of man. 
You would even feel indignant at yourselves, if, in the com- 
mencement of a great enterprize or adventure, you could think 
of nothing but the pit by the wayside, into which you might 
possibly slide, or of the mad lion that might possibly lurk in 
the thicket. You feel that you should disdain to compromise 
the interests which rouse you to action, merely for the purpose 
of gaining an ignoble security. 

The conduct of a man possessing the character under con- 
sideration, is always individual, and often deemed singular; and 
hence he may reasonably expect frequent trials of his Courage. 
But if he has the proper invincibility of temper, he will soon 
disarm all hostile forces, and make even scoffers feel that it is 
a bootless hostility to joke and sneer at such a man. People 
are always mortified when they find that they spend their 
scorn in vain — and soon become tired of the sport. A man of 
the right kind, a true Zaphnath Paaneah, has something else 
to do than to trouble himself about the mirth of fools, even 
3 



k 



IS 

though they might idiotically laugh in a chorus. By such a 
course they only convince him that they do not regard our hero 
as belonging to their class — and he has the pleasure of con- 
gratulating himself on having won his way to a far different, 
and higher class. What would you think of your pursuits, if 
they were comprehended and applauded by every trivial, 
thoughtless being around you? And what would you think of 
your Couaage, if it could be abashed by sneers, or needed con- 
tinually, ignorance and levity as its allies? Although we abhor 
the actuating principle of Almagro and Pizarro, in their pro- 
ject for conquering Peru, yet we cannot help admiring the 
hardihood of mind which made them regardless of scorn. And 
the Abdiel of Milton is a noble illustration of that invincible 
courage which rises, not only above the derision of the multi- 
tude, but also that of the proud and elevated. 

But the highest and most noble decisive energy of character, 
is that which confides implicitly in the Supreme Power — Here 
it rises to the true sublime. The man who who has an unwa- 
vering confidence in the Great God, dares the attack of every- 
thing within the whole sphere of mortality; and presses onward 
towards his object, even though death in its most frightful 
form, be impending over him. Belying upon his God, nothing 
moves him from his conscientiously formed purpose. With 
your general knowledge of the Bible, you will readily call to 
mind, as illustrations, the case of Daniel, who promptly braved 
the decree which consigned him to the den of lions; and of 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who said to the vain and 
haughty tyrant, "We are not careful to answer thee in this 
matter," even though it consigned them to a "burning fiery 
furnace." Such, too, was the character of the courageous 
Paul, who exclaimed, in an hour of peril, "I am ready not to 
be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of 
the Lord Jesus:" — "But none of these things move me, neither 
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my 
course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of 
the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." 
Here was true Courage and peerless heroism. And such was 
the character of Luther, when cited to appear at the Diet of 



ID 

Worms, under very questionable assurances of safety. His 
friends advised him not to go — -they warned him by the exam- 
ple of John Huss, who was not saved from the faggot and flame, 
by similar assurances. But Luther heroically replied, "I am 
called in the name of God to go, and I would go, though I 
were certain to meet as many devils at Worms as there are 
tiles on the houses." And we must not fail to mention the 
man who in our text is called Zaphnath PaaNeah — the lovely 
and conscientious Joseph: When besought by a beautiful and 
fascinating woman, of high rank, to "do a great wickedness, 
and sin against God," with a conscientiously formed purpose, 
he is able, even in this emergency, with readiness of decision, 
and that promptness of action which indicated a strong will, to 
fly from her, though at the loss of his robe, which was left in 
her hand — >He preferred the boon of & good conscience, and the 
favor of God, to the smile of a Princess, or the favor of 
Egypt's throne: But by his conscientious heroism, he finally 
secures the favor of the throne, wins his way to position and 
power, becomes the Saviour of the land, and is called ZapknatH 
Paaneah. 

In the above cases, Conscience held the supremacy, and in- 
stead of ''making cowards" of its possessors, we find that in 
connection with a strong reliance upon God, it made heroes of 
them all. Hence we say to you, with all these examples be- 
fore us, 

''Fearless let hiin be, who trusts in God*" 

and your characters shall be clothed with grandeur and true 
sublimity, and earth and heaven shall look upon you as manly 
men. 

Such are the chief elements of the true Leader. But these 
elements must act consistently. There must be a combination 
and full agreement of these principles in the mind — all the 
powers and dispositions of the mind must consent and co-ope- 
rate, in order to success. You know the charioteer may har- 
ness his horses to the chariot, but unless he can make them 
draw together, with all their capacity for fleetness, even a 



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20 

cripple with a crutch, might leave him far behind. And just 
so it is with the mind: even one discordant principle will great- 
ly deduct from the strength and mass of its agency, and also 
counteract and embarrass all the other principles. Hence in 
the perfect character we expect to find a harmonious indivisi- 
bility of mental impulse — -all the powers co-operating and act- 
ing in concert: — Then the prevailing passion will have its full 
force, and be able to throw activity into the specific system of 
conduct, and make triumphant success certain: — And the 
name of such a character shall be called Zaphnath Paaneah. 

III. The Discipline Necessary to the Attainment op 
this Character. 

The careful study of the characters of men who have reach- 
ed imperial eminence, will readily suggest the discipline ne- 
cessary to the attainment and proper exercise of this character. 

1. It is necessary that we should have a clear and compre- 
hensive knowledge — especially that knoivledge which bears upon 
the subject of our pursuit. 

You are all familiar with the instances which show the effect 
of complete knowledge on the determinations of the will. But 
as important as this knowledge is, we are often pained to see, 
to what an extent, even in our own country, the vital inter- 
ests of humanity are committed to the direction of ignorance; 
— In all such cases our only consolation is in the doctrine of 
a particular Providence. 

You should never lose sight of the great importance of know- 
ledge. Remember that a new principle discovered, or an old 
principle applied to better advantage, may act and re-act upon 
millions, and roll on eternally in constantly widening circles; 
and thus vitally affect the interests of the whole State, the 
whole Nation, or even the whole World. All this you must 
admit, or else deny the common brotherhood of man, and ig- 
nore your own immortality. How high, then, are the motives 
set before you to seek for this complete knowledge, with untir- 
ing research: — and especially as the same course of life which 
will conduct you to self-respect, and honor among men, will 



21 

also lead to the approbation of God, and a crown of unfading 
honors in Heaven. 

2. You should cultivate a conclusive manner of thinking* 
Your general course of thinking should partake of the nature 
of reasoning — and be reduced to strong and patient discipline. 
Always unite a diligent study of the past, with a close obser- 
vation of current events — and thus keep yourself in sympathy 
with your own generation; and at the same time be able to cor- 
rect its extravagances, and lay your guiding hand upon its en- 
thusiasm, by your lessons of wisdom, gathered from the whole 
sum of human experience. The teachings of history will often 
be needed for present emergencies. Every decade of years 
has its errors. And to the uninformed, these appear new and 
perplexing, while the man well read in the history of the past, 
can easily trace them back through their dark channels to 
some far-off fountain; and thus having detected them in their 
source, he can effectually expose and correct them, for the ben- 
efit of his age. He thus becomes an acknowledged Leader in 
a great reform, and the people call his name Zaphnath Paa- 

NEAH. 

3. The interests to which you devote your energies should be 
of a dignified order. This will be highly conducive to the for- 
mation of this character. Indeed it is absolutely necessary in 
order to give the passions their full scope, and thus bring out 
the whole man. 

The rude and uncultivated man, may regard his stomach, as 
the center of all his wants, and the only interest to which he 
should devote all his energies — and thus, with the brute, be 
wholly earthly und sensual. But the educated and refined 
man, should be daily animated by the ceaseless throbbings of a 
far nobler life; and the quenchless fires of his ambition should 
burn with higher and holier interests. Humanity should 
engage his attention — for it he should live and labor, with 
a benevolence which is spiritual and angelic, and makes 
him an ally of his God, as manifested in the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

4. Above all, you should have your own conscientious appro- 
bation of your own conduct. This will have a vast influence 



^ 



22 

upon your character, and greatly contribute to your decision., 
and persevering constancy. The highest style of manhood, 
is, the character with an enlightened conscience, which is kept 
pure by following its dictates in the light of Revealed Truth — 
one who always trusts and obeys his God. Such a character 
is one of the most sublime and glorious objects in the Universe 
of God. This is the last step in the ladder, in the process of 
reaching the lofty character which we commend, and it brings 
you to the crowning grace- — even "honor, immortality, and 
eternal life." 

By such a discipline you may all become exemplars, giants^ 
and Leaders, among your fellows, and be honored with the 
name of Zaphnath Paaneah. 

Gentlemen: The relations we have held to each other in this 
University are now about to close. In some respects this, to 
us, is a painful fact. Our daily intercourse for mental and 
moral improvement, has been uniformly pleasant. And now 
the earnest collision of thought and opinion, in our preparation 
for the duties of life, cannot be terminated, without some emo- 
tions of sorrow* Your Instructors feel this very sensibly. 

But you are not only to part from your Instructors, but also 
separate from each other. And there is something in your 
character and relations as a Class, which gives to this thought 
a peculiar emphasis. With an unusual degree of homogene- 
ousness and good fellowship, in a class so large, and brought 
together from so many different localities, your hearts have 
been silently knitting together, so that now, when the hour for 
parting has come, the mutual Farewell ! will be spoken by 
each with reluctance and pain. 

And you cannot fail to remember that one of your number 
— a dear friend and Class-mate, of rich and rare promise, has 
gone down in the very midst of his studies, preparatory to use- 
fulness;, to an early grave. Charles Smith Miller, is not in 
your midst to-day; a candidate for University honors! But 
we all have good hope, that instead of the Baccalaureate, he 
wears the fadeless laurels of Heaven's honors, and that he is 
numbered with the blessed. "We saw you weep at his sudden 



9 P. 



departure, and exclaimed in our hearts, "Behold how they loved 
him!" His memory is precious, and will be cherished forever 
in your' "heart of hearts." 

But there are emotions, connected with this occasion, of a 
far different character. We congratulate our common coun- 
try, upon the accession to her walks, of such a large Class of 
cultivated and liberally educated young men — "with sound 
minds in sound bodies." We all look forward to your future 
labors with intense solicitude, and with high hopes of your use- 
fulness and success. And you know the ground of our con- 
fidence and expectation concerning you, as a graduating 
Class. I beseech you disappoint us not. Go forth, and 
whatever may be your profession, or pursuit in life — what- 
ever your relation to society — or wherever your lot may be 
cast, resolve to he men. Your Alma Mater will forever be cry- 
ing in your ears, 

"Act well your part, there nil the honor lies." 

Do not fail, in all places, to pay due attention to the cause of 
Christianity — and in connection with this, and your profession- 
al studies, by your readings of science, elegant literature, and 
current news, prepare yourselves — and keep yourselves pre- 
pared, to be Men amongst Men. 

But in your earnest struggles for intellectual pre-eminence, 
Be Christians. Be careful, that you do not suffer a deterio- 
ration in your religious characters. Give a portion of every 
day to sweet and solemn communion with your God, and let 
your whole public and social life be interspersed with practices 
of private devotion. Take as your motto, the mighty maxim 
of the great Luther — "Study and Prayer, Prayer and Study." 
Like the wrestling Patriarch at the brook Jabbok, prevail first 
with God, and then will you most assuredly become a Leader, 
and "prevail ivith men" 

Finally. Aspire to a full share in that "Inheritance which 
is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away," bequeath- 
ed by the "King Eternal, Immortal, and Iuvisible, the only 
wise God our Saviour," and "reserved in Heaven for you" — in 
which I humbly hope to have a share with you. 



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24 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



028 342 329 3 



Go, gentlemen, go forth *to your life-long work. And may 
you each be accounted worthy to wear the name of Zaphnath 
Paaneah. My prayers shall always follow you, that when the 
labors of life are over, you may all be crowned with immortal 
honors, in a Holy Heaven. 

God Bless You. 



S&B. 



/ 



